Fastening for shoes



T. G. OAKMAN. FASTENING FOR SHOES.

Patented Nov., 3, 1891.

//V VE IV 70/? J/MW a 0% MW 401 ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS C. OAKMAN, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

FASTENINGFOR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 462,364, dated November3, 1891.

Application filed January 26, 1891. Serial No. 379,029- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. OAKMAN, of Pittsfield, Berkshire county,Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fasteningsfor Shoes, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to a new shoe-fastener having the construction setforth in the following specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a shoe having theopening on the front of the instep and extending up the ankle, andprovided with my improved fastening and with means of attachment. Fig. 2represents my fastening separately and detached from the shoe. Fig. 3exhibits ashoe having a fl p at the side, and 4 represents my fasteningas adapted to the shoe shown in Fig. 3.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

My fastening consists of bars A B, of steel or other flexible and strongmaterial, which are inserted between the upper of the shoe and thelining, with their longitudinal edges in proximity to the edge of theopening to be closed. In one end of the barA and the corresponding endof the bar B are made apertures.

O and D are two metal plates, the plate 0 having hinged to it a buckle Eand the plate D having fastened to it, by any suitable means, a strap F.The plates 0 and D are applied on the outside of the shoe and rivets arepassed through them and also the bars A and B, thus securing the bars Aand B and plates 0 and D to the shoe. The strap F is then in position toenter and engage with the buckle E. A B are bars of spring metal similarto bars A and B and are connected thereto by pivoted links G and II. Onthe link Gis secured a buckle, and on the link II a strap. The links Gand II are metallic plates, which are applied to the outside of the shoeafter the bars A B A B are in place. The link-pivots pass through theplates G H and the bars A B A B, and also the leather of the shoe, andthus serve to connect the parts -together. The advantage of thisconstruction is that notonly are the edges of the opening in the shoemade rigid, so that after they approximate they are held together byonly two buckles and straps, but the entire fastening is one havinggreat flexibility, inasmuch as it is free to yield to any forwardbending of the foot owing to the elasticity of the spring and to anysidewise bending owing to the pivot connections at the links G H. In theform of shoe shown in Fig. 3 the bar 13, link II, bar B, and plate D areomitted, the straps F being fastened directly on the upper of the shoe.This construction is preferable in all cases where there is a flapcoming over one edge instead of two edges of the leather being broughtinto approximation. The bars A A &c., are preferably made of flatspring-steel. The edges of the shoe are held firmly together and thesprings prevent any gaping of the opening at points other than where thestraps and buckles are placed. The use of the springs greatly reducesthe number of straps and buckles or other fastening devices needed.

I claim-- In a shoe-fastening, the combination of the spring-bars A Band A B, the links G H between said bars, and the metal plates 0 D, thesaid links GH and plates C D being disposed on the outside of the upperof the shoe and riveted through the material thereof to the bars A A B Band also provided with buckles or straps for detachably connecting themtogether across the opening in the shoe, and the bars A A B B beingsecured on the inside of the shoe upper on opposite sides of saidopening, with their meeting edges coincident with the edges thereof.

THOMAS C. OAKMAN. \Vitnesses:

SAMUEL E. ROBINSON, JOHN F. VAN DEUSEN.

